'America's Next Top Model' to end after 12 years on the air

America's 22nd Next Top Model will be its last. After an aggressive number of cycles and 12 years on the air, the fashion-focused reality competition will air its final episode this fall.

Creator and host Tyra Bankssignaled the news on Wednesday, tweeting, "Thinking #ANTM22 should be our last cycle. I truly believe it's time. May your pics be forever fierce. Keep on Smizing!" The CW confirmed the news shortly afterwards.

Top Model has held a unique distinction on the TV dial. It moved over to the CW's inaugural season in 2006 from the UPN -; and it's been the last lingering series from the now-defunct network for some time. Produced by The Tyra Banks Company (formerly Bankable Productions), the series is responsible for launching the career of several models and actresses. Adrianne Curry, YaYa DaCosta and Analeigh Tipton are all Top Model graduates.

To see more of ANTM throughout the years, scroll through the gallery below:

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'America's Next Top Model' to end after 12 years on the air

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Bello Sanchez of 'America's Next Top Model' attends the Premiere Of Cinema Libre Studio's 'Olvidados' held at Laemmle Royal Theatre on October 2, 2015 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 28: Model Kacey Leggett attends 'America's Next Top Model' Cycle 22 premiere party at Greystone Manor on July 28, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vincent Sandoval/WireImage)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 28: Actress Isabelle Cornish attends 'America's Next Top Model' Cycle 22 premiere party at Greystone Manor on July 28, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vincent Sandoval/WireImage)

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"America's Next Top Model was a successful franchise for two networks," said CW president Mark Pedowitz, "first at UPN and then The CW, and it became not just a ratings hit, but a global pop culture phenomenon. I want to thank Tyra and Ken for all their years of success in establishing a show that was not just popular in the U.S., but all across the world."

The show has also been a pretty stable performer for the CW, airing late-summer/early-fall on Friday nights of late. The current season is averaging a 0.6 rating among adults 18-49 and 1.7 million viewers. It's also the only hour-long reality entry in the CW's relatively thin unscripted stable. The network has recently focused that arena on comedic-skewing entries like Penn & Teller and the revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Banks is also suffering no shortage of work at the moment. Her syndicated panel talk show FABLife, on which she stars and executive produces, has gotten off to a strong start with daytime audiences.

The series finale of Top Model will air Friday, Dec. 4, though the network is said to be mulling a possible retrospective special for some time in late 2016.